Device for unloading platform-cars



G. P. MERRILL.

DEVICE FOR UNLOADING PLATFORM CARS.

No. 279,578. Patented June 19,1883.

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DEVICE FOR UNLOADING PLATFORM CARS.

No 279,578. Patented June 19, 1883.

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G. P. MERRILL.

DEVICE FOR UNLOADING PLATFORM GARS. No. 279,578. Patented June 19,1883.

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GEORGE P. MERRILL, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

DEVICE FOR U NLOADING PLATFORM-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,578, dated June 19, 1883.

' Application filed May 3, 1883.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE PROCTOR MER- RILL, of the city of Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for U n loading Platform-Oars, of which the following is a specification.

' My invention has reference to a machine or device for unloading gravel'or other material from ordinary platform-cars, and is designed to accomplish the unloading of the car at either or both sides thereof.

Heretoforc machines or devices intended for unloading pl atform-cars have been in the form of a double plow, which necessarily would throw off the material from both sides of the car simultaneously, or else of the character known as side-unloaders,-'- which consist of a plow having only one operative side. So far as I am informed, there has not been constructed prior to my invention an unloader containing in itself the qualities of both the double plow and side-unloader; and my invention relates to a machine which is provided with movable or hinged sides capable of being elevated, so that either may be rendered i11- operative while the other side is performing its work of unloading its side of the car; It frequently occurs during the unloading of platform-cars, as in the construction of railroads or other work, that only one side of the car needs to be unloaded at one time, and also that the gravel or dirt requires to be thrown at different times and at different points from both of the respective sides of the car. By the use of my invention either the entire load may be thrown off from the car, falling from both of its sides, or one-half of the load may be cast Fig. 5 is aperspective view,

(No model.)

nection for the guide-rail, as hereinafter specified.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respective figures.

A is the central timber running or extending longitudinally ofthe unloader, and which at its lower sides is strengthened or reenforced by metallic plates (6 (I. Knees or braces b are secured to the sides of the timber A, and to said braces are bolted the transverse beams 13. To the transverse beams B are secured the side beams, O.

D is a nose-casting, formed somewhat after the character of the mold-board of a plow, but having at its top and bottom plates 0 and (1, respectively, solid therewith, extending back ward, and having suitable side flanges forming sockets for the central timber, A, and the side beams, 0, bolts 0 extending through the casting, timber A, and side beams, O, as shown, tying the whole together. The under side of the nose-casting D is cast hollow, or with a groove to fit over the rail E,-which rests upon the floor of the platform-car. Thenrail is the ordinary T-rail, and between the cars is connected by a sliding or automatically-adjustable connection, E. (Shown in Fig. 6.)

F F are the sides or wings of the unloader, which are made of stout sheet metal strengthened by angle-irons c, riveted to their inner sides. The sides or wings F are hinged to the under or outer sides of the side beams, O, as shown atf. Secured to the upper side of each of the side beams, G, is a windlass, G, over whose drum the cord or chain 9 passes, attaching to the base of the wing or side. It is not, however, essential that the windlasses be used, as the sides may be lifted by other means. Neither is it essential that the sides should be hinged, as they may be made detachable or ca pable of being entirely removed from the plow. The sides F are maintained in the position in which they are shown in Figs. 1 and 3 by means of removable braces 71, which attach to the sides of the central timber, A, and to the inner sides of the wings, respectively. Screw-rods H are passed'vertically through the central timber, A, having bearings in nuts z, secured in the top or other part of said timher. The upperend of each of the rods H is Ill furnished with a. suitable handle. The-central one of the rods H is provided at its lower end with a disk, It, while the other two rods H are each fitted at their lower ends with a roller, I, having a bearing in the forked end Z of the rod. The disk k zand the rollers Z are adapted to rest upon the'top of the rail E, and by turning the rods H the friction which would result from the engagement of the timber A with the rail is decreased.

In operation, supposing that it is desired to unload both sides of the car together, the plow is drawn longitudinally of the car or series of connected cars by means of a chain or rope at that side of the car not to be unloaded is raised, as shown in Fig. 5, and the plow drawn along the ear, one-half of the load being there by thrown off by the wing which remains in its depressed state. In order to permit the elevation of the side or wing, its braces 71 must be removed, when the wing may be lifted up by winding on its Windlass. gaging with the ratchet-wheel 0, prevents the return of the wing and looks it at the required elevation.

It is not essential to my invention that the sides should be hinged, as they or either of them may be made removable or l1lO1)6lLl]l"6 by being wholly detached or lifted from the plow.

Having described my invention, I claim- The pawl 12, en-

' 1. An unloader for platform-cars, consisting of a plowhaving sides capable of being lifted or removed, substantially as set forth.

2. In an unloader for platform-cars, the combination, with the frame-work, of hinged sides capable of being lifted, substantially as set forth.

3. In an unloader for platform-cars, a nosecasting,framework, and hinged sides, combined with means for elevating and retaining the sides in an elevated position, substantially as set forth.

4. In an unloader for platform-cars, the eonr bination of nose-casting, frame-iwork, hinged sides, windlasses, and cords, substantially as set forth.

5. In an unloader for platfornrcars, the combination of nose-casting, frame-work, hinged sides, and removable retaining devices, substantially as set forth.

6. In an unloader for platform-cars, the com bination ofunder-grooved nose-casting, central timber with metal rail-bearings, framework, and screw-rods or friction-relieving devices passing vertically through. the central timber, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of the unloader with the guide-rail, having sliding'or automatically-adjustable connections at the ends of cars, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

GEORGE PROOTOR MERRILL. [r.. s]

\Vitnesses:

Gnonen B. BooNE, V. T. COLE. 

